Evaluation and management for carotid dissection in patients presenting after choking or strangulation

Carotid dissection (CD) is often overlooked as a concern in strangulation and choking cases. When the diagnosis is considered, the question remains what is the best means of evaluation, and which imaging study should be obtained.

To evaluate the literature for evaluation of choking- and strangulation-related injuries and their association with CD.

This article will review the literature on blunt carotid injuries, with particular attention to subjects with choking and strangulation mechanisms of injury, and will include important physical findings, when and which radiographic evaluations are indicated, and treatment.

Although rare, CD can occur after strangulation and choking. When suspected, evaluation should include imaging studies including computed tomography angiography.